Next Desktop Transition: 3D?

Linux seems to have waved goodbye to Windows Vista’s (”aero”) effects, with more than three different groups working on 3D desktop development. With the introduction of Beryl 2.0, and the release of project LookingGlass, many Linux distributions are now coming with a default 3D interface makes jaws drop down. If you haven’t tried out any of the 3d desktop based distros, you really are missing something.

I installed one such Linux distribution, “sabayon,” (which is also currently racing up the charts in best Linux distributions) a few days back and, to sum up my experience in a word, it was AMAZING. Sabayon is a live CD/DVD, which means that you can directly boot into a working operating system, or install it onto your hard disk. It comes pre-configured with all the applications under the sun, and the 3D layer used in this OS is beryl. As the OS boots it detects your graphics accelerator and asks if you want a 3d accelerated desktop. The experience from here on, is, well, truly amazing. Flying windows, workspaces which are part of a cube, applications that are part of a huge flat space which you simply can’t describe… it’ll drive you numb the first time you try it. (Try the transparency effect as well.)

Compiz is another such eye candy project which holds a lot of hope, and is a lot like beryl. LookingGlass, another 3d desktop initiative, seems more 3D-ish with applications being placed in 3D space, but still needs a lot of development, though the major step of releasing a working version as well as a Linux based distribution (LG3D) was done in quick succession recently. Whats surprising is that all these 3d accelerated desktops target the Linux market. Though LookingGlass has a windows version, on windows it can only be used with applications that are developed with LookingGlass - which is currently a number close to 0.

If you think 3D desktops is the way to go, have a look at this video. This is Jeff Hans on “Ted Talks,” who displays one of his research projects involving a touch driven computer screen manipulated by fingertips. Imagine using this with beryl or any of the other 3d desktops. I hope someone out there has thought of this as the next step in desktop evolution.